What order did you complete your big 5 in and why?

Betterinthebush

Betterinthebush

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I’m starting my journey on my quest for the big 5 in 2 weeks. I’m beginning with leopard, mostly because it’s my favorite of all African animals and because, well, let’s face it, it seems to be the most elusive for many. So, being practical, I wanted the most frustrating of the five to be my first. If I’m successful, great. If not, I’m already booked for the next (Elephant) in two years.

So, for me:

1) leopard -(in 2 weeks, Nuanetsi, Zimbabwe)
2) white (green) rhino -(in one month, SA)
3) elephant -(in May ‘28, Zimbabwe)
4) lion -(TBD, but soon, I’m going to be looking for a cancellation)
5) buffalo -(no rush on this one. I have a tag for Nuanetsi, but I doubt I’ll use it. Probably take one in ‘28 in with a different PH in Zimbabwe or wait until Caprivi)
 
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1. Leopard in Zim (cancellation hunt)
2. Buffalo in Zim on a lioness hunt (Unfortunately no lioness)
3. Elephant In Zim
4. Lion in the Selous with 3 more buffalo (cancellation hunt)

I don't think I will ever hunt a rhino as I will never hunt a fenced animal. So to me I have completed my big 4/5. Maybe one day I will have my son shoot a rhino.
 
Buffalo
Leopard
Rhino
Lion
Elephant
Hippo
Crocodile

Originally all of them taken outside of SA except the Rhino. Since then I’ve been back to SA a few times for other species and always add Buffs to the Safari. I recommend hunting outside of SA for the experience if financially feasible.

HH
 
Betterinthebush said:
I’m starting my journey on my quest for the big 5 in 2 weeks. I’m beginning with leopard, mostly because it’s my favorite of all African animals and because, well, let’s face it, it seems to be the most elusive for many. So, being practical, I wanted the most frustrating of the five to be my first. If I’m successful, great. If not, I’m already booked for the next (Elephant) in two years.

So, for me:

1) leopard -(in 2 weeks, Nuanetsi, Zimbabwe)
2) white (green) rhino -(in one month, SA)
3) elephant -(in May ‘28, Zimbabwe)
4) lion -(TBD, but soon, I’m going to be looking for a cancellation)
5) buffalo -(no rush on this one. I have a tag for Nuanetsi, but I doubt I’ll use it. Probably take one in ‘28 in with a different PH in Zimbabwe or wait until Caprivi)
Click to expand...
First congratulations on your vision!!! It is mine as well with only my leopard remaining and on second try. I am the opposite…The leopard by far is the most elusive of the big 5…that is not me telling you that it is PHs I admire telling you that. Therefore I wanted momentum which I have being successful on my first 4. The leopard to your point is next to the Bongo one of Africa’s most elusive creatures, just my POV
 
Betterinthebush said:
I’m starting my journey on my quest for the big 5 in 2 weeks. I’m beginning with leopard, mostly because it’s my favorite of all African animals and because, well, let’s face it, it seems to be the most elusive for many. So, being practical, I wanted the most frustrating of the five to be my first. If I’m successful, great. If not, I’m already booked for the next (Elephant) in two years.

So, for me:

1) leopard -(in 2 weeks, Nuanetsi, Zimbabwe)
2) white (green) rhino -(in one month, SA)
3) elephant -(in May ‘28, Zimbabwe)
4) lion -(TBD, but soon, I’m going to be looking for a cancellation)
5) buffalo -(no rush on this one. I have a tag for Nuanetsi, but I doubt I’ll use it. Probably take one in ‘28 in with a different PH in Zimbabwe or wait until Caprivi)
Click to expand...
Buff are good add on’s to your leopard or lion hunt. There is no increase in day rates to hunt a buff when you are hunting cats. You just pay the trophy fee. Very good chance you will shoot a buff for bait when you hunt lion.
 
Leopard in 2011
Buffalo in 2022,2024 and 2025
Hippo in 2023
Elephant in 2025
Lion booked in the Omay with Dalton&York in 2027

If I am able to kill a lion then I will figure something out on a rhino and croc. Not really interested in those two unless I have the lion and if i am at 4 out of 5 and 5 out of 7, then I would try and finish the Big 5 and Dangerous off.
 
rsmurray said:
Buffalo, Hippo, Croc Moz 23
Buffalo Leopard Moz this June
Lion, Buffalo 29 Zim (maybe 28)
Elephant, Buffalo 32 Zim (maybe 31?)
Click to expand...
My friend don’t underestimate doing a dart rhino with a great outfitter like Wintershoek who let you shoot the sleep dart not some vita dart so you see and experience the rhino going down from your shot!!!!!
 
1) Buffalo
2) Lion/Elephant
3) Elephant/Leopard (Passed on mediocre Leopard and Lion - added Buffalo)
4) Rhino
5) Leopard/Elephant
 
Buffalo, elephant, leopard, buffalo 1st safari on Deka/Zimbabwe 1983.
buffalo, buffalo, elephant Charara & Matetsi 3/Zimbabwe 1986
Leopard, buffalo, buffalo, lion Kalahari & Linyanti/Botswana 1986
Buffalo, buffalo Mlele/Tanzania 2021
Buffalo, hippo, croc Madaba Selous/Tanzania 2023
Buffalo, Hammon Save/ Zimbabwe 2025


I’ve never shot a rhino, doubt I ever will unless it’s a Black Rhino either with bullet or dart.
 
Buffalo in 2017 in RSA. I'll do more someday.
Elephant in 2023 in Zim.
Croc in 2025 in Zambia.
Hippo in 2025 in Zambia.
Leopard (hopefully) in 2027 in Zim.
Rhino in prelim plans for 2028 in RSA for a dart.
Lion's going to be a budget stretcher with two kids entering the prime of their activity years, then college. We'll see on that one.
 
Betterinthebush said:
I’m starting my journey on my quest for the big 5 in 2 weeks. I’m beginning with leopard, mostly because it’s my favorite of all African animals and because, well, let’s face it, it seems to be the most elusive for many. So, being practical, I wanted the most frustrating of the five to be my first. If I’m successful, great. If not, I’m already booked for the next (Elephant) in two years.

So, for me:

1) leopard -(in 2 weeks, Nuanetsi, Zimbabwe)
2) white (green) rhino -(in one month, SA)
3) elephant -(in May ‘28, Zimbabwe)
4) lion -(TBD, but soon, I’m going to be looking for a cancellation)
5) buffalo -(no rush on this one. I have a tag for Nuanetsi, but I doubt I’ll use it. Probably take one in ‘28 in with a different PH in Zimbabwe or wait until Caprivi)
Click to expand...
Question for you and others. Doesn’t it make the most sense to combine Buffalo and leopard because the Buffalo provides a lot of bait for the leopard?

Maybe not the best way to be choosy for a big bull because if time considerations.

For me
Starting with Buffalo in Zim this year.
Elephant booked in Zim 2028
Probably leopard next I’m thinking Niassa in 2030
 
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